Welcome back to school! I hope everyone had a fun and relaxing summer. It is hard to believe that fall is approaching and the beginning of the 2018-2019 school year is already here. I am eager to start the new school year and am looking forward to picking up right where we left off at the end of last year.

As School Resource Officer the safety of our students is very important to me. With that in mind, I think it’s appropriate to review some tips that will help keep us safe in the upcoming school year. Please take a minute to review the following tips with you son or daughter. I hope you find them helpful!

If your child walks to school be sure to walk the route with your child beforehand. Tell him or her to stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields and other places where there aren't many people around.

Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your children don't know well or don't trust.

Be sure your child walks to and from school with a sibling, friend, or neighbor.

Teach your kids -- whether walking, biking, or riding the bus to school -- to obey all traffic signals, signs and traffic officers. Remind them to be extra careful in bad weather.

When driving kids, deliver and pick them up as close to the school as possible. Don't leave until they are in the schoolyard or building (watch them enter).

If your child bikes to school make sure she wears a helmet that meets safety standards. Research indicates that a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by up to 85 percent.

*Be sure that your child knows his or her home phone number and address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult and how to call 911 for emergencies.*

Give your child some strategies for coping with bullies. He should not give in to a bully's demands, but should simply walk away or tell the bully to stop. If the bullying continues, talk to an adult.

Smart Phones, other electronic devices, and small amounts of cash draw attention from thieves. Try to avoid displaying these things in public.

School Bus Rider & Driver Tips

Students riding a school bus should always:

Arrive at the bus stop five minutes early.

Stand at least 5 giant steps (10 feet) away from the edge of the road.

Wait until the bus stops, the door opens, and the driver says it’s okay before stepping onto the bus.

Walk in front of the bus; never walk behind the bus.

Be sure the bus driver can see you, and you can see the bus driver.

Stop at the edge of the bus and look left-right-left before crossing.

Tell the bus driver if you drop something beside the bus. Should you try to pick it up, the bus driver may not see you and drive away.